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Park Jin-hai

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.

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Korean Heritage

UNESCO expands World Heritage status of Korea's tidal flats

BUSAN — The UNESCO on Saturday expanded the boundaries of Korea’s tidal flats in its World Heritage list, approving the addition of four key coastal regions to bolster protection for endangered migratory birds and marine life. The decision by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, meeting for its 48th session here, adopts a significant boundary modification for the natural heritage property named "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats." First inscribed in 2021, the heritage originally covered four zones: Gochang, Boseong-Suncheon and Sinan in Jeolla provinces and Seocheon in South Chungcheong Province. The Phase 2 expansion incorporates crucial tidal flats in Yeosu, Goheung and Muan in South Jeolla Province, as well as Seosan in South Chungcheong Province. The committee recognized that the tidal flats satisfy the World Heritage criterion for the conservation of biodiversity and endangered species. In particular, it highly valued the natural heritage sites for contributing to the conservation of internationally important migratory waterbirds and diverse marine life as a key habitat within the Wes

Jul 25, 2026By Park Jin-hai
UNESCO expands World Heritage status of Korea's tidal flats
Korean Heritage

Contemporary Korean heritage performance lights up Busan

BUSAN — Inspired by the 22nd hexagram of the I Ching — symbolizing "refined beauty resting upon true essence" — the performance "Sanhwabi: HEXAGRAM 22," a special congratulatory show for Korea's hosting of the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee here, transformed the stage into a vibrant intersection of past and present. Held "in search of the core strength and new frontiers of intangible cultural heritage," the production presented a sweeping reinterpretation of Korea's centuries-old artistic traditions, fusing classical masterworks with striking contemporary elements. Organized into seven thematic movements — breath, sound, line, light, pan (communal space), rite and harmony — the showcase demonstrated how living heritage can evolve while honoring its roots. The performance opened with a grand entrance from behind the audience as members of "Daechwita" (traditional Korean military music), dressed in traditional yellow robes with blue sashes, marched in to recreate the royal processionals of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The stately opening transitioned into

Jul 24, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Contemporary Korean heritage performance lights up Busan
Travel & Food

Chollipo Arboretum: Where plants are the true masters

TAEAN, South Chungcheong Province — Along the windswept west coast of Korea, a unique botanical garden has spent over half a century proving that the best way to grow a forest is to leave it completely alone. Founded in 1970, Chollipo Arboretum holds the historic distinction of being Korea’s first private arboretum. It was established by Carl Ferris Miller, a former U.S. Navy officer who naturalized as a Korean citizen under the name Min Pyong-gal. Miller passed away in 2002, but his foundational philosophy remains strictly intact at the arboretum, where human intervention is kept to an absolute minimum. The garden’s beginning was notoriously difficult. It was planted on a barren, sandy shoreline constantly battered by harsh coastal winds and salty marine air. Instead of fighting these elements, the arboretum allowed the environment to naturally shape the landscape. What makes this a cultural and ecological marvel is its radical policy against artificial pruning. In a region where traditional gardens often feature meticulously sculpted hedges and geometrically balanced trees, Chol

Jul 24, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Chollipo Arboretum: Where plants are the true masters
Korean Heritage

UNESCO urges Japan to disclose wartime forced labor at Sado mines

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee on Thursday adopted a resolution calling on Japan to reflect the "whole history" across all periods of mining exploitation in on-site interpretation and displays at the Sado mines. The adoption supports the Korean government's demand that Japan mention the mine's history of using wartime forced laborers from the Korean Peninsula and other Asian countries on signposts located in the heritage site. During the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee held at BEXCO in Busan, member states adopted the decision regarding Japan’s State of Conservation report by consensus without debate. The decision emphasized that Tokyo's follow-up measures regarding wartime history remain insufficient, stating that "further clarification is needed regarding how the interpretation and presentation strategy and facilities comprehensively address, at the site level, the whole history of the property throughout all periods of mining exploitation." The committee requested that Japan keep the World Heritage Committee regularly informed of its progress and recommended that i

Jul 23, 2026By Park Jin-hai
UNESCO urges Japan to disclose wartime forced labor at Sado mines
Korean Heritage

Korea's living history takes center stage at World Heritage Committee in Busan

BUSAN — As Korea hosts the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time since joining the organization in 1988, a major cultural showcase in Busan is drawing massive crowds eager to experience the nation's traditional heritage powered by cutting-edge technology. Since its opening on Monday at BEXCO, the K-Heritage House has drawn attention from locals and committee meeting participants. The special exhibition introduces Korea’s UNESCO-listed assets and heritage administration policies across four themed zones: an archive tracing the past, present and future of heritage; a living intangible heritage zone; a technology-driven heritage section; and interactive activity spaces. Living heritage: Master craftsmen in action The highlight for many visitors is a joint public demonstration featuring master artisans holding National Intangible Cultural Heritage titles. Craftsmen demonstrate intricate traditional techniques, including making "gat" (horsehair hats), embroidery, needlework, mother-of-pearl inlay, woodworking, woodcarving and engraving. Hands-on workshops also allow

Jul 21, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Korea's living history takes center stage at World Heritage Committee in Busan
Korean Heritage

UNESCO adopts Busan Declaration for global heritage preservation

BUSAN — As armed conflict and climate change threaten heritage sites around the globe, government officials and experts participating in the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan adopted a new declaration calling for international collaboration to shield vulnerable cultural and natural assets from damage. The agreement — dubbed the Busan Declaration on World Heritage — also encouraged transparent and responsible use of digital technologies in identifying, recording and preserving heritage. The participants passed the declaration by consensus during the opening business session of the committee’s 48th meeting, hosted by Korea in the southeastern port city of Busan. It marks the first time Korea has hosted the meeting since joining the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in 1988. The core of the declaration officially elevates "collaboration" as the new "sixth C" of the strategic objectives of its heritage framework. The new pillar integrates global cooperation as a key guiding principle alongside the previous "Five Cs": conservation, credibility, capacity-building, communicat

Jul 20, 2026By Park Jin-hai
UNESCO adopts Busan Declaration for global heritage preservation
Shows & Dramas

Chilling beyond ghosts: 'The East Palace' ushers in new era of K-occult

“I will wipe out the King’s entire bloodline.” A mysterious ghost hunter arrives at a palace consumed by a sinister curse. Swarming with vengeful spirits, the royal court is a perilous labyrinth of buried secrets and political conspiracies. Navigating between reality and the eerie "world of spirits," the hunter tracks the source of the curse. This is the premise of Netflix’s new series "The East Palace" — a brutal, shadowy clash between a cursed dynasty, those desperate to break the spell and the ghosts hell-bent on taking over the throne. Breaking away from the conventional tropes of royal court period dramas and zombie apocalypses, "The East Palace" delivers a highly original piece of "Joseon Gothic occult action," seamlessly blending Korean shamanism with Western dark fantasy. Writers Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won, who previously laid the groundwork for modern K-occult thrillers with "The Guest" (2018), have successfully transplanted their expertise into the Joseon court, crafting a mesmerizing yet grotesque abyss. Ahead of its global release on July 17, the first four episodes

Jul 15, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Chilling beyond ghosts: 'The East Palace' ushers in new era of K-occult
Shows & Dramas

'Spooky in Love' reimagines hit film with supernatural twist

The hit 2011 movie "Spellbound" is returning as a drama series. Actors Park Eun-bin, Yang Se-jong and Ong Seong-wu have teamed up to deliver tvN's occult romance "Spooky in Love," promising to blow away the midsummer heat. The series follows a hotel heiress who sees ghosts and a passionate prosecutor who team up to solve cases together. This 12-episode drama takes a bold approach to reimagining the original film, which previously garnered massive love and starred Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-ki. To differentiate itself from the movie, the drama completely revamps the story, keeping only the female lead's ability to see ghosts. Instead of just a strange woman who possesses a secret ability to see dead people, the female protagonist is now a hotel CEO Yeo-ri (Park), and the male lead is a prosecutor instead of a magician. The drama also introduces a unique supernatural twist where anyone who touches Yeo-ri's hand gains the temporary ability to see ghosts. This addition paves the way for far more diverse incidents than the original film. Park takes on the role of the luxury hotel heiress harborin

Jul 14, 2026By Park Jin-hai
'Spooky in Love' reimagines hit film with supernatural twist
Arts & Theater

Colombian salsa ambassadors visit Seoul

For professional salsa dancers Andres Sabogal, Nasly Valencia, Cesar Villan and Madelehyne Aristizabal, a visit to Seoul from Cali, Colombia, marks a profound exchange of identity, history and artistic philosophy. The Embassy of Colombia in Seoul invited the four dancers to the Korean capital for a two-day Cali-style salsa show this weekend as part of a cultural diplomacy initiative. The dancers said they were thrilled to discover an active Latin dance scene that defies stereotypes. "Contrary to the prejudice that Asian cultures might be relatively quiet and shy, it is incredibly interesting and wonderful to see such a passionate and massive Latin dance scene in Korea, where new artistic attempts are constantly being made," said Aristizabal at the Embassy of Colombia in Jongno District, Seoul, Thursday. Cali-style salsa — also known as Colombian Salsa and Salsa Caleña — is officially recognized as part of Colombia’s national cultural heritage, an inherently spectacular dance style that arose by taking the basic salsa steps that originated in the Caribbean and took shape in New Yor

Jul 10, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Colombian salsa ambassadors visit Seoul
Shows & Dramas

JTBC's 'The Apartment Job' showcases hilarious teamwork from 'fake family'

Boasting a powerhouse cast and explosive acting synergy, JTBC’s upcoming crime-comedy "The Apartment Job" is set to deliver a highly relatable, down-to-earth human drama set right in our everyday living spaces. The series, which will also stream globally on Netflix, follows Park Hae-gang (Ji Sung), the former boss of the Oasis gang. In an attempt to pocket a massive stash of hidden cash within the complex, Hae-gang runs for president of the residents' council. Instead of an easy heist, however, he ends up partnering with the residents to clean up deep-rooted local corruption. The cast noted that the show’s setting was a major selling point, as a massive apartment complex is a deeply familiar backdrop for most people. "The premise of all these events unfolding inside a massive residential complex was instantly intriguing. I was completely captivated by the charm of this team play — setting up a fake family just to pull off a scam — and the fact that it's a bright, refreshing comedy rather than a heavy crime noir," said Ji Sung, who stars as the ex-mobster who becomes head of a fra

Jul 10, 2026By Park Jin-hai
JTBC's 'The Apartment Job' showcases hilarious teamwork from 'fake family'
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